O'Donovan joins Shrimpers on loan

The 24-year-old Irishman, who was a target for the Shrimpers when he was at Cork City, could move to Roots Hall for a further two months if Tilson takes up the option. Southend made a £400,000 bid for O'Donovan two years ago but he opted to join the Black Cats and has since made just 17 appearances for the Premier League club. Tilson told the club's official website: "We looked at Roy two years ago when he was at Cork. He did really well back then but at the time, because he was grabbing headlines, bigger clubs overtook us. "We have been trying to bring in a forward with pace and Roy fits that bill perfectly." O'Donovan will go straight into the Southend squad to face Brighton on Saturday.